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By Brent Latham

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Jan 22, 2013 1:20:00 AM

Though the team is struggling so far in the Clausura, it insists it will be focused on Chilean side Deportes Iquique.

With Club Leon set to play its first ever Copa Libertadores match on Tuesday night, players are assuring that the club is giving South America’s premier club competition all the importance it deserves.

The Esmeraldas have started the Clausura with just one point from three matches, including five dropped points at the Camp Nou, a home stadium virtually impenetrable last tournament.

To make up for the slow start, the clubs’ players and directors are aiming at Tuesday night’s first leg of the Copa Libertadores play-in series against Chile’s Deportes Iquique.

“Anyone who has played the competition, a Chilean, Brazilian, Argentina, Uruguayan, Paraguyaan, to name a few, know how important it is. Everyone aims for it,” Uruguayan attacker Matias Britos told Mediotiempo.com. Britos played in last year’s edition of the Copa with Uruguayan side Defensor Sporting.

“I think Leon is giving the competition the weight it merits.”

Leon kicks off its first-ever Copa Libertadores participation at home, then makes the long journey south to Chile for next week’s away match. The winner of the home-and-away series joins the group stage, in which Toluca and Club Tijuana both already have a place reserved.